On Air: Fukuoka City Information/2015.01.24(Sat)/09:00～

Do you know about the Hakata Machiya Folk Museum? It’s a place where you can get to know about lifestyle in Hakata during the Meiji and Taisho eras of Japanese history.

Located in Reisenmachi, in the Hakata Ward of Fukuoka City, the Hakata Machiya Folk Museum has a two-story Exhibition Hall that lets you enjoy the atmosphere of Hakata’s past. You’ll find a historical calendar of the times in Hakata, along with models of festivals and traditional craft goods. And, you can feel the impact of the popular Hakata Gion Yamakasa Movie Theater.

At the traditional crafts workshop, there are different daily demonstrations of Hakata artisans where you can witness, first-hand, crafts such as Hakata doll and Hakata hariko. You can also try your hand at the traditional craft of painting on china, known as “e-tsuke” in Japanese, under the instruction of a craft instructor.

The Machiya Hall is designated as a cultural property of Fukuoka City. Originally the home and workplace of Hakata ori craftsmen during the Meiji era, Machiya has been moved from its original location and fully restored. When in the building’s narrow and deep architecture style, known as machiya-zukuri, you’ll find demonstrations of Hakata ori craft. Visitors are able to try it for themselves free of charge.

And, on the first Saturday and third Sunday of every month, the long-established, traditional entertainment of Hakata niwaka is also performed. It is designated by Fukuoka City as an intangible folk cultural property and 30-miniute performances start at 1 and 2PM.

There are seasonal events such as summer festivals and mochi making at the Hakata Machiya Folk Museum. You’ll find elementary school students trying Hakata ori weaving after school, as well as tourists, and local people getting to know Hakata’s history there.

It is open from 10:00 AM until 6:00 PM, and costs 200 yen to enter the Exhibition Hall. Elementary and junior high school students are free of charge.

For further information, please call 092-281-7761.

It’s a wonderful place where you can feel the traditional culture of the good old days! Don’t miss it!